Bletchley Mini Market has alcohol licence revoked in court

Amanda Devlin

A shop manager who lost his licence to sell alcohol has had his appeal rejected by the court.

Mr Sabir Khan, manager of Bletchley Mini Market in Watling Street, Fenny Stratford, had “repeatedly failed” to comply with licensing rules when it was revoked in January.

Milton Keynes Council’s licensing sub-committee had raised concerns that illegal vodka was being sold and that under 18s and drunk customers were being served at the shop.

On Wednesday, Magistrates backed the council’s decision to revoke his licence.

They said they the committee had acted in a “proper manner” and dismissed the appeal - awarding costs of £9,600 to MK Council.

David Novell, senior enforcement officer for Licensing at Milton Keynes Council, said “We are pleased that the court agreed with the licensing sub-committees decision to revoke the licence.

“Mr Khan had repeatedly failed to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and his failures were impacting on surrounding businesses and the local community.

“He was uncooperative and did not take the offences he committed or the complaints the council received about him seriously. Being unwilling to be brought into compliance we had no option but to take punitive action.”